HeForShe campaign launches in Cameroon

On behalf of H.E President Paul Biya of Cameroon, the Prime Minister and Head of Government Philemon Yang has pledged his support for UN Women’s HeForShe campaign at a launch event attended by government representatives, heads of UN agencies and civil society organizations.

Speaking at the official launch of the campaign on 11 August, Prime Minister Yang said: “My wish is to see the HeForShe campaign benefit all the women, children, men and boys in Cameroon”.

In line with the Prime Minister’s statement, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family Marie Therese Obama Ondoa said the objectives of the HeForShe campaign are matched with Cameroon’s policy and development priorities, and Cameroon has ratified without any reservations all the legal instruments in the area of gender equality. “The Head of State has just promulgated a new Penal code for Cameroon which integrates gender and punishes acts like female genital mutilation,” the Minister added.

UN Women’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa Diana Ofwona commended Cameroon for for the progress it has made on gender equality and women empowerment, including a contribution to UN Women core resources for the next three years.

Speaking about the HeForShe campaign Ms. Ofwana said: “HeForShe is the movement for fathers who love their daughters and believe in their potential and for husbands who consider their wives as partners. HeForShe is for leaders who believe in the full potential of women and help them to fulfill it, CEOs for whom women in the workforce is a great asset for the profitability of the enterprises”.

Over 350 participants attended the official launch and 151 officially made a commitment to the HeForShe campaign.